Is Your Home Termite Heaven? Here’s How to Find Out

Every week, the detail-oriented folks at Green Scene Home Inspections will give CandysDirt.com readers an education in inspection. Want to see what they see? Tune in for “Upon Closer Inspection.”

Did you know termites cost Americans more than $5 billion per year, and many insurance plans don’t cover the damage? It’s true, according to Orkin.

In fact, termites are active in North Texas year-round, though they tend to be more visible in the spring and summer. Now is a good time to check your home for what we call “conducive conditions” for termites and other wood-destroying insects. You can find a full list of conducive conditions here.

Form boards, as seen above, are pieces of wood used to form cement as it is poured. You find these in foundation work and in sidewalks. If left in place, they rot and make a nice treat for termites.

Having trees or foliage too close to the foundation or wood exterior can give termites a direct path to your home undetected. Keep foliage trimmed back and move trees that have root systems close to the foundation.

Wood-to-ground contact is another direct path termites can use to build their tunnels and snack on your home. Siding, wood trim, or decking should never be in direct contact with the ground. This one is super common, and you will likely find some examples if you take a look around your home.

In this video, the inspector found several conducive conditions in one area of a home:

For lots of good info on Texas termites, check out this resource from the Texas Department of Agriculture.